School Forum

On September 10th, CSIET sponsored its second School Forum to facilitate an educator-to-educator discussion on issues such as the enrollment and registration process; and how schools and hosting communities can support and welcome new foreign exchange students during their initial acclimation phase. 

This discussion was especially pertinent as the youth exchange community and schools are entering a new school year and cycle.  Speakers included:

  • Phillip Boley, Superintendent, Clinton Central School (Michigantown, IN);
  • Tara Brown, Study Abroad Specialist, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (Charlotte, NC);
  • Karen Coggins, Vice Principal, John A. Rowland High School (Rowland Heights, CA); and
  • Ruth Warren, Principal, Clay High School (South Bend, IN). 

Topics discussed included exchange student course registration, orientation activities to help integrate and welcome incoming foreign exchange students, and how to prepare host students and staff for the intake of a new foreign exchange student.  Other issues included how to make the most of a foreign exchange student in a school to encourage domestic students to study abroad and take interest in foreign culture; and how the size and make-up of a school can affect the method of intake of a new exchange student.   

CSIET is planning to host additional School Forums in the future.   Topic suggestions or Forum feedback can be sent to lreed@csiet.org.

A recording of this call is available to CSIET members in the members-only section of our website.

To access the School Forum audio, please follow this link: School Forum 9-10-09

 To read a full School Forum report, please click here: School Forum 9-10-09

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On May 6th 2009, CSIET sponsored its first School Forum in the form of a conference call. The purpose of this call was to facilitate an educator-to-educator discussion on the benefits of having inbound and outbound exchange students, as well as how to overcome obstacles that educators and staff members face within the school system concerning hosting foreign students. This is especially pertinent today when school exchange programs are facing considerable cuts in school and state budgets.

The School Forum is also intended to be used as a training tool for local program representatives, field staff and volunteers.

Moderated by John Hishmeh, the Executive Director of CSIET, speakers included:

Margaret H. Holt, CISL & AP Coordinator
Center for International Studies and Languages
C.D. Hylton Senior High School
Woodbridge, VA

Diana Jarrett, Student Registration Coordinator
Fairfax County Public Schools
Falls Church, VA

David Waters, Principal
Timberland High School
Wentzville, MO

James Wencel, Superintendent
Bad Axe Public Schools
Bad Axe, MI

Questions included in this Forum:

  • What factors in your school community might affect the enrollment of exchange students for the 2009-2010 school year? Has the current Swine Flu complicated foreign exchange programs so far?
  • What do you perceive to be the most significant advantages brought to your school by exchange students?
  • What are your biggest concerns about exchange student programs?
  • What can CSIET-listed exchange student programs do to encourage and support your school’s acceptance of foreign students? Why have schools gotten stricter on limiting the number of exchange students they will accept? While CSIET promotes schools accepting at least 1% of their student population, we more often than not encountering large school populations that restrict it to one or two school spots, when we have families in the community who want to host. How can we raise these limits to promote cultural exchange in our schools?
  • How does your school handle No Child Left Behind or state assessment testing requirements for foreign exchange students?
  • How does your school community encourage American students to study abroad?

To access the School Forum audio, please follow this link: School Forum 5-6-09 Audio

To read a full School Forum report, please click here: School Forum 5-6-09 Report

For a black and white printable version of the report, please click here: Printable Report

If you have any feedback or suggestions for future School Forums, contact Lisa Reed at lreed@csiet.org.